Unassigned

A while ago I was having breakfast with a friend of mine. A good portion of our conversation circled around as he put it (to paraphrase) "so many people feel that we are given these cultural and social assignments that we must live into." And thats a shame.

Some of these "assignments" may be the Businessman who's reputation must be impeccable, to be seen as a beacon in society and keep him elevated above regular people. Or the Suburban Wife/Mom who's got to make sure her kids are seen as doing oh-so-well in school, and excelling at sports to one-up the Joneses. Or the the Urban Youth who feels he's got to wear the saggy pants, and carry a standoffish attitude to be accepted by his peers. Or the Coffeshop Hipster who's got to make sure he knows enough about craft cocktails and microfinancing in Africa to appear socially relevant.

So this has had me thinking about the role of the individual. Not really a role, but moreover our individual meaning here on earth. We let so many outside influencers tell us who and what we should be. When we are simply called to be ourself.

I believe God created us each uniquely. Put us on this planet as a unique human being. And that when we are so influenced by a perceived "assignment", we steer away from ourselves, and miss our mark. Moreover, our Maker's mark (not the bourbon). And that's a big miss.

In the The Brady Bunch Movie (or perhaps its sequel), Marsha gave her husband Wally a bit of encouragement. Wally was apologizing to the Brady family for lying about a job loss* in order to keep the family unaware. So Wally said he was sorry, to which Marsha replied, "Don't be sorry, just be Wally."

Yes, corny encouragement from Marsha, but dead on. Don't lie about YOU because you think others will think differently or poorly of you, or because you feel you've got to fulfill some "assignment".

I won't fulfill any "assignment". I will fulfill "me".




* I believe this was the reason for his apology. And if not, just go with it as it really works for what I'm trying to get across.

How Do You Do

We've all heard the quote about "it's not how many times you fall it's how many times you get back up that matters." A few folks have taken credit for that excellent advise, and I believe Vince Lombardi was the coolest name to attribute to it (perhaps he was first). And the quote makes sense, and I believe is right, and great inspiration to give the "fallen".

When we manage through, or overcome adversity we have such an opportunity to impact not only our state of affairs, but an opportunity to impact (positively or negatively) those who are watching. We are not perfect. We will say and do things we regret as we strive. But HOW we "get back up" can have just as much impact as "getting back up" itself. Perhaps in some cases more so.

We all know when we've seen people "get back up" in a manner that has impact. And we all can attach faces to those who've impacted us through their adversity. 

I've seen parents manage through a prodigals departure. I've seen a woman deal with a parent who's battling the effects of age. I've seen friends take a big hit. I've seen a man persevere through a time of unemployment. I've seen a couple walk through cancer. I've seen people simply do life well.

How do you do your "get back up"?

In Corinthians it says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

Life is hard. Adversity comes in many forms. A wayward child. An ailing parent. A financial blow. A lost job. An illness. A chaotic household. A car that's kaput. Etc. And of course it matters that you "get back up" from these things. But do it well.